A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
